The sound of tiny feet running around, laughter and adults mingling filled the air of an old Victorian house. This wasn’t an ordinary Saturday morning at the Shoppes on Grand. Cash Mob Ames had arrived.

This group is taking supporting local businesses to a whole new level.

Cash Mob Ames, a group of Ames community members who have come together to support small and local businesses is taking matters in their own hands when it comes to keeping Ames local businesses thriving.

“It is a way for people to make a difference in the Ames economy. Our goal is to support our local businesses and support our neighbors and friends in the Ames community,” said Jeff Barr, Cash Mob member.

The idea for Cash Mob Ames came from Fredrick Lloyd.

“I read an article about a hardware store that did something like this in Ohio, and I thought this is something we can do in Ames,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd said that he has lived in Ames since 1994 and admitted to not knowing about all the small and local businesses.

“There are so many local businesses in Ames that we can really make a difference,” Lloyd said.

The Cash Mob’s main communication is their Facebook page open to anyone who is interested. The Cash Mob’s goal is to have an outing once a month and wants members to spend at least $20.

“Just showing up is more important than spending money. We don’t want people to think they have to spend more than they want,” Lloyd said.

With 290 members on the Cash Mob Ames Facebook page after its second outing, Lloyd hopes for continued growth and more involvement in outings.

“We are still getting started, and we have had a lot of new members join,” Lloyd said.

The Shoppes on Grand outing was a little different than how outings will normally go. The Shoppes on Grand has become an Ames landmark for the past 27 years but will be going out of business because the owner is retiring.

“People chose this location as our second outing as a way to say thank-you for being in business for 27 years and giving so much to the community,” Lloyd said.